In recent years, matcha has become extremely popular, largely due to its many health benefits, which have been widely written about. Matcha is a green tea from Japan. While green tea has always offered numerous benefits, what sets matcha apart is that it comes in powder form. This means you’re not just drinking an infusion, but you’re actually consuming the entire tea leaves in a pulverized form.

Making matcha requires some extra steps and, therefore, extra tools. Traditionally, matcha is scooped with a bamboo spoon. You’ll want to take about a gram, which equates to a small mound on the bamboo spoon. This is placed in a traditional matcha bowl, a small bowl in which you’ll whisk and directly drink the matcha. Warm the bowl in advance by adding hot water and then immediately pouring it out. This prevents your drink from cooling down instantly due to a cold bowl. Afterward, add the matcha with your bamboo spoon, possibly through a small sieve to avoid lumps. Add a small amount of warm water. The recommended temperature varies by source, but we suggest around 70 degrees Celsius. Then, you start frothing the matcha using a matcha whisk, also known as a “chasen.” A chasen is usually rested on a chasen holder to maintain its shape. Then, pour more hot water and whisk until frothy. All that remains is to drink your delicious, healthy matcha.

Maté is less well-known than matcha. It originates from Brazil and is actually not a tea. It doesn’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant but is an infusion made from the young leaves of the yerba maté plant. The leaves are dried and finely ground. It has a very unique and specific smoky flavor. It’s very strong in taste and contains a robust dose of caffeine. Yerba maté also requires some specific utensils. Traditionally, it is drunk from a special cup called a calabash or “cuia” in Portuguese, using a metal straw known as a bomba or bombilla.

Maté can be consumed both hot and cold; when served cold, yerba maté is called “tereré.” It is often consumed as a stimulant, a quality attributed to its high caffeine content.

At Thee.be, we provide all the essentials for your matcha or maté experience.